Goods delivery systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to containers which can be stacked one on top of another whilst still permitting easy access to the contents of any container within the stack without the need for de-stacking. The contents of the containers remain secured within the container.

The present invention relates to re-usable containers which can be stacked one on top of another whilst still permitting easy access to the contents of any container within the stack without the need for de-stacking and the use of these containers in goods delivery systems.

A range of different types of either fully or semi-automated order processing and fulfillment systems are known.

In one known type of order picking system, a customer's order is assembled into one or more tote, bin, box, bag, crate, sac, pouch or some other re-usable container.

Each re-usable container may contain one or more item or bag for the same customer as would be the case in online grocery retail.

Alternatively each re-usable container may contain one or more parcel for the same or different recipients on the same route, as would the case for general merchandise parcel distribution.

After all the re-usable containers for a single delivery vehicle have been filled, they are loaded onto said delivery vehicle.

The re-usable containers are loaded either directly into or onto a delivery vehicle at the order picking facility or alternatively in what is hereinafter known as a hub-and spoke system the re-usable containers are loaded onto an intermediary carrier, such as a pallet, dolly or roll cage.

The intermediary carriers are loaded into or onto a distribution vehicle and transported to a subsidiary site where the re-usable containers are unloaded from the intermediary carrier and transferred to one or more delivery vehicle.

In either system the reusable-containers are usually loaded manually onto racking or shelving located within the delivery vehicle. Although this method has the benefit of being flexible for reusable-containers of different sizes, it is labour intensive and requires the delivery vehicles to occupy a loading dock at the order picking facility, or the subsidiary site for a relatively lengthy dwell time.

In conventional handling systems roll cages are employed to minimize the dwell time in a loading dock. The roll cages can be pre-filled away from the loading dock and stored waiting for the right vehicle to be presented at a loading dock.

The entire roll cage or its individual contents can then be more rapidly loaded into the vehicle.

In another conventional handling system the reusable containers are stacked on top of each other on dollies. The stacks with or without the dollies can then be more rapidly loaded into a delivery vehicle however this system creates problems when deliveries need to be made out of a pre-determined sequence.

Further disadvantages of this system include the need to store the empty containers generated after each delivery within the delivery vehicle, also it becomes increasingly difficult to properly secure the remaining load as some stacks are more or less depleted.

A yet further disadvantage of all of these systems which makes them particularly ill suited to a hub-and-spoke system, is that the re-usable containers must first be loaded onto or into pallets, dollies or roll cages at the order-picking facility then unloaded and re-loaded onto or into individual delivery vehicles at the subsidiary site which increases costs, handling times and the potential for errors in the orders and damage to the goods.

A need exists for an efficient order processing system for picking, filling, storing and distributing orders that avoids the need for repeatedly stacking and de-staking re-usable containers and keeps loading dock dwell times to a minimum.

The present invention relates to a re-usable, stackable container for use in a goods handling system wherein the interior of the container is accessible when two or more containers are stacked together.

In a preferred aspect the container comprises 5 closed sides.

In another preferred aspect the container has an inner part slidably engaged within an outer part to allow the container to be opened and closed.

In a further preferred aspect 1 or more side of the inner part has an opening to allow access to the interior of the inner part.

In another preferred aspect one or more side of the container is movable to allow access to the interior of the container.

In another aspect the invention relates to a single movable unit comprising 2 or more stacks of containers.

In a preferred aspect the single movable unit further comprises one or more dolly.

In another preferred aspect the stacks are secured together by one or more strap.

In another preferred aspect two or more dollies are releasably locked together.

In a further aspect the invention relates to goods handling system comprising a multiplicity of re-usable, stackable containers.

In further aspect the invention relates to a goods handling system comprising single movable unit.

In this way, the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and provides an efficient goods handling system which avoids the need for repeated stacking and de-stacking of containers.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 : is a schematic perspective view of a conventional roll cage containing four stacks of re-usable containers

FIG. 2 : is a schematic perspective view of a conventional delivery vehicle showing the arrangement of four conventional roll cages within the vehicle.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b : are a schematic perspective views of a re-usable container according to a first embodiment of the present invention having an inner part 1 and an outer part 2 wherein the inner portion is adapted to slide into and out of the outer part to close and open like a drawer.

FIG. 3 c : is a schematic perspective view of a re-usable container according to a second embodiment of the present invention having a movable side 3.

FIG. 4 : is a schematic perspective view of a stack of five containers according to the present invention loaded on a dolly 7 and secured by a strap 6.

FIG. 5 : is a schematic perspective view showing how multiple loaded dollies may be arranged in a delivery vehicle.

FIGS. 6-9 : are a series of schematic perspective views of a delivery vehicle showing how the dollies may be arranged and re-arranged inside the delivery vehicle to allow access to each of eight stacks.

FIG. 10 : is a schematic perspective view of four dollies each loaded with five containers and secured together by straps 6 (and having a mechanism not shown for locking the dollies together) to form a single, stable, movable unit 8 a.

FIG. 11 : is a schematic perspective view of a distribution vehicle loaded with a multiplicity of the units 8 a depicted in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 : is a schematic perspective view of an alternative arrangement wherein a single large dolly 9 is loaded with four stacks of five re-usable containers in a 4×1 configuration to form a single, stable, movable unit 8 b.

FIG. 13 : is a schematic perspective view of a delivery vehicle showing how multiple movable units 8 b may be arranged inside the delivery vehicle to allow access to each of sixteen stacks; and

Referring to FIG. 3 the re-usable containers of the present invention comprise open topped crates or boxes having five closed sides. The containers are shaped and sufficiently strong to allow several filled containers to be stacked on top of one another to form a single stack.

The containers in a single stack may be of the same or of different lengths, widths and heights.

The open top or sixth side enables the containers to be quickly and easily filled prior to stacking, with one or more items, goods, bags or parcels to form a part of an order, a single order or several orders.

The containers of the present invention may be moved manually, using bin stackers or Bots or any suitable technology or method.

Optionally the containers have openings 10 on one or more sides to provide hand holds which are helpful when moving the containers and during stacking and de-stacking.

The size and shape of these openings 10 is dependent on whether the containers are intended to be moved manually, using bin stackers or Bots or any suitable technology or method or combinations thereof.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a the container comprises an inner part 1 and an outer part 2. The inner part can be moved from a first position where it is located within the outer part to a second position where a substantial part of the inner part extends beyond the outer part, to open and close the re-usable container. The movement of the inner part from the first retracted position to the second extended position may be effected by sliding the inner part out of the outer part like a drawer.

Although it is possible to move the inner part to the second extended position prior to stacking the container is generally in the first, closed or retracted position when it is being filled prior to stacking.

After the container has been filled and stacked the contents of any container within the stack are accessible by moving the inner part to the second extended position without the need for de-stacking.

A locking mechanism may be provided to secure the inner part in the first, closed or retracted position.

Optionally one or more side of the inner part has an opening 12 to allow the contents of the inner part to be accessed from two or more directions.

In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 c the re-usable container includes one or more movable side or hatch 3 which can be moved to allow the contents of the container to be accessed without the need for de-stacking.

Preferably the side or hatch 3 is slidable or hinged. More preferably the side or hatch 3 is located on the short side or sides of the re-usable container.

In a preferred embodiment the re-usable containers have one or more internal hooks on which bags can be hung or otherwise secured.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 10 and 12 one or more stack are loaded onto one or more dolly 7 or 9 to form a single movable unit 8 a or 8 b.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12 four stacks are joined together to form a single movable unit 8 a or 8 b.

Any other number of stacks such as 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more can be joined together to form a single stable movable unit.

If multiple separate dollies 7 are used to form a single movable unit 8 a as shown in FIG. 10 the dollies are securely joined together by one or more interlocking mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10 preferably the one or more stacks of multiple re-usable containers are held together using one or more strap 6.

The strap or straps are arranged horizontally and or vertically around the stack.

Optionally a lid may be placed on the top container in a stack before the strap 6 is applied to increase the strength of the container or to help stabilize the stack or to prevent moisture from any refrigeration system from dripping onto the container's contents.

One or more single movable unit can be rapidly loaded directly onto a delivery vehicle 15 at the order picking facility.

Alternatively in a hub-and-spoke system one or more single movable unit can be rapidly loaded onto a distribution vehicle at the order picking facility and conveyed to a subsidiary site.

At the subsidiary site one or more of the single movable units can be rapidly loaded onto a onto a delivery vehicle without the need for de-stacking.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate how eight dollies may be arranged and re-arranged inside a delivery vehicle. This allows easy access to the contents of any container in each of the eight stacks, and permits orders to be accessed and delivered in any sequence and removes the need for a predetermined delivery sequence.

Many variations and modifications not explicitly described above are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of handling goods in a goods handling system having a plurality of re-usable, stackable containers, wherein at least one container of the plurality of re-usable, stackable containers includes an inner part and an outer part, the inner part being slidably engaged within the outer part and slidable along a sliding direction between a first position in which the inner part is located substantially within the outer part and a second position in which a substantial portion of the inner part extends beyond the outer part, whereby an interior of the at least one container is accessible by relative sliding movement of the inner part and the outer part into the second position, the at least one container having an open top and five closed sides including four side walls and a base located substantially at bottoms of the four side walls, each of the four side walls having substantially a same height such that when the inner part is in the first position, the four side walls form a top region which defines an aperture of the open top, at least part of the top region being provided by the inner part, the inner part and the outer part being configured such that when the at least one container is stacked with one or more other containers, goods stored within the at least one container will remain within the at least one container, and wherein the inner part includes two inner part side walls arranged perpendicular to the base, at least one of the two inner part side walls having an opening located between two bars that each have a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction, the method comprising: loading an item within the at least one container; stacking at least some of the plurality of re-usable, stackable containers including the at least one container; accessing a receptacle within the at least one container by sliding the inner part of the at least one container into the second position; and removing the item from the at least one container by moving the receptacle in a direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner part comprises a pair of apertures at the top region.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein both of the two inner part side walls have an opening located between two bars that each have a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising loading the item within the at least one container by placing the item into the receptacle through the aperture of the at least one container.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one of a tote, a bin, a box, a bag, or a crate.
 6. A method of accessing a receptacle in a goods handling system, wherein: the goods handling system comprises a plurality of re-usable containers configured to stack on top of one another; at least one container of the plurality of re-usable containers comprises an inner part and an outer part; the inner part is slidable relative to the outer part, along a sliding direction, between a first position in which the inner part is received more in than out within the outer part and a second position in which the inner part extends more out than in beyond the outer part in the sliding direction to provide access to an interior of the inner part; with the inner part in the first position, the at least one container has an open top and five closed sides including a base and four side walls; with the inner part in the first position, the four side walls form a top region which defines an aperture of the open top, at least part of the top region being provided by the inner part; and the inner part comprises a plurality of spaced-apart slats that each have a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction, and wherein the method comprises: sliding the inner part of the at least one container along the sliding direction to the second position; and removing the receptacle from the interior of the inner part of the at least one container by moving the receptacle in a direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inner part comprises a pair of apertures at the top region.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inner part comprises another plurality of spaced-apart slats that each have a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction, the plurality of slats and the other plurality of slats being positioned on opposite sides of the inner part.
 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising loading an item within the at least one container by placing the item into the receptacle through the aperture in the at least one container.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one of a tote, a bin, a box, a bag, or a crate.
 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein moving comprises lifting the receptacle in the direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the direction is perpendicular to the sliding direction.
 13. A goods handling system comprising a plurality of re-usable containers that are stackable, wherein: at least one container of the plurality of re-usable containers comprises an outer part and an inner part, the inner part configured to receive a receptacle in an interior of the inner part; the inner part is slidably engaged with the outer part and slidable, along a sliding direction, between a first position in which the inner part is received more in than out within the outer part and a second position in which the inner part extends more out than in beyond the outer part in the sliding direction; with the inner part in the first position, the at least one container has an open top and five closed sides formed by four side walls and a base located substantially at bottoms of the four side walls; with the inner part in the first position, the four side walls form a top region which defines an aperture of the open top of the at least one container, at least part of the top region being provided by the inner part; the inner part comprises a slatted side wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart slats each having a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction; and with the inner part in the second position, the inner part allows the receptacle to be removed therefrom in a direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 14. The goods handling system according to claim 13, wherein the inner part comprises a pair of apertures at the top region.
 15. The goods handling system according to claim 13, wherein the inner part comprises another slatted side wall opposite the slatted side wall, the other slatted side wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart slats each having a longitudinal extent in the sliding direction.
 16. The goods handling system according to claim 13, wherein with the inner part in the first position, the inner part and the outer part allow an item to be placed into the receptacle in the interior of the inner part through the open top of the at least one container.
 17. The goods handling system according to claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one of a tote, a bin, a box, a bag, or a crate.
 18. A container for a goods handling system, the container comprising: an outer part comprising a first side wall, a second side wall connected to the first side wall, a third side wall connected to the second side wall, and a base connected to bottoms of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the third side wall, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the third side wall, and the base at least partially define a cavity of the outer part; and an inner part configured to receive a receptacle in an interior of the inner part, the inner part having a side comprising a plurality of slats that each have a longitudinal extent in a sliding direction and are spaced from one another, wherein the inner part is configured to slide relative to the outer part along the sliding direction between a first position in which the plurality of slats are more in than out in the cavity of the outer part and a second position in which the plurality of slats extend more out than in out of the cavity of the outer part beyond the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein, with the inner part in the first position, the outer part and the inner part form a top region having an opening into the interior of the inner part, and wherein, with the inner part in the second position, the inner part allows the receptacle to be removed from the inner part in a direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 19. The container according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of slats comprises a first set of slats and a second set of slats, the first set of slats and the second set of slats positioned on opposite sides of the inner part, the first set of slats and the second set of slats at least partially defining another opening.
 20. The container according to claim 19, wherein, with the inner part in the second position, the first set of slats and the second set of slats allow the receptacle to be removed from the inner part through the other opening in the direction transverse to the sliding direction.
 21. The container according to claim 19, wherein the first set of slats are connected to the second set of slats.
 22. The container according to claim 21, wherein a base of the inner part connects the first set of slats to the second set of slats.
 23. The container according to claim 18, wherein the inner part comprises a base connected to at least one of the plurality of slats, the base configured to support the receptacle in the interior of the inner part.
 24. The container according to claim 23, wherein the base of the inner part is rectangular.
 25. The container according to claim 18, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall of the outer part are configured to guide the inner part between the first position and the second position.
 26. The container according to claim 25, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall of the outer part are configured to slidably engage the plurality of slats to guide the inner part between the first position and the second position.
 27. The container according to claim 18, wherein, with the inner part in the second position, spaces between the plurality of slats are entirely within the cavity of the outer part.
 28. The container according to claim 18, further comprising a top configured to close the opening into the interior of the inner part.
 29. The container according to claim 18, wherein the inner part comprises a pair of apertures at the top region.
 30. The container according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one of a tote, a bin, a box, a bag, or a crate. 